May 2026
Welcome to the first of a series of newsletters about making the best use of local health services
These newsletters have been produced in partnership with the Practice’s Patient Participation Group.
This newsletter focuses on sources of information, advice and support on health issues.
Use the links in each section below (underlined) to find more information.
On the NHS website you can find information to help you manage your health, including information about health conditions, symptoms, medicines, tests and treatments, and advice on when to get help. You can also find information about NHS services and how to access them.
The Stay Well Dorset website brings together health and wellbeing advice and information from Dorset’s NHS, Councils and voluntary organisations – including information on a wide range of health topics, including vaccinations, and advice on how to find the right help when you need it.
Go to NHS 111 online or ring 111 for help with:
- Healthcare needs and injuries that are not life threatening
- Urgent dental needs
- Urgent mental health needs.
The Healthier Together website brings together clear, reliable information to support families before, during and after pregnancy. It also includes advice to help parents and carers decide what to do when babies, children or young people are unwell.
The Our Dorset Women’s Health website provides lots of early help and self-help advice about women’s health issues, as well as information about local services and when to seek help - including contraception, breast health, fertility, the menopause and many other women’s health topics.
Our Dorset Health App Library recommends apps that can help with a wide range of health needs, from long term health conditions, such as high blood pressure, asthma and COPD, to managing joint and muscular problems and how to improve mental wellbeing. It also includes the highest rated apps for cancer, young people’s mental health apps and recommended mental health apps.
The PIF TICK Directory is another source of trusted information. PIF TICK is an independent trust mark run by the Patient Information Forum, which helps you find health information you can trust. The PIF TICK lets you know information is evidence based, up-to-date and easy to use and understand. Advice about how to spot fake information online can also be found on their website.
Wellbeing Swanage provides information about all the wellbeing support available locally. Visit the Welcome Lounge at the Focus Centre in Swanage for help to find the services you need - for opening times, go to: Wellbeing Swanage - Welcome Lounge or phone 01929 208376.
Dorset Council’s Best Start Family Hub Website has lots of information to support parents, including:
- The support available for babies, toddlers, school aged children and young people
- How to find childcare
- How to get the EasyPeasy Parenting App for free
The services available to support families at the Swanage Family Hub